Facing-block.



` UNITED STATES Patented .April 1 1, 1905.

ADELBERT E.`BUELL, QF BAYONNE, NEW JERSEY.

FAoiNe-BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 787,023,` dated April 11, 1905.

' i Application led Jiiiie Z, 1904. Serial No. 210,783.

. useful Improvements in Facing-Blocks, of

which the following is a specification.

The subject of the present invention is a novel construction of composition facing for buildings and similar structures, and has more particularly in view a peculiar arrangement of sectional character which can be readily adjusted in position, securely retained. and which will be highly waterproof.

While the novel composition facing is generally adapted for buildings and other strnctures, it will on account of its waterproof and fireproof character be especially valuable in connection with frame buildings. Y With the above and other purposes in view the invention comprises the novel sectional facing, which is clearly set forth in the subsequent detail description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings,-in which--y ing a part of a building-front, including a window-sill, and disclosing one embodiment of-my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the novel facing-sections as it appears at the front. Eig. 3 is a rear View of said section-facing. Fig. 4 is an enlarged transverse section disclosing certain features of the invention. Fig. 5 is a detail section of a frame building, the facing-section being nailed to the studding and backed up between the latter with concrete. Fig. 6 is a detail View illustrating the relation of certain of the facingsections with regard to the end of a window'- sill and a contiguous part of the jamb. Fig. 7 is a sectional detail plan view showing how a window or door frame is locked in connection With the novel facing. y

Similar reference characters are employed to designate corresponding parts in the several figures of the drawings wherein they occur.

In carrying out my inventionI produce by molding thin. rectangular sections A a plastic composition, which may be of any suitable artiiicial-stone composition which is self-hardening and of waterproof character. The front surface of each of these sections can be plain or of any desired stylevor ornamentation. In Eig. 2 I have represented such front surface c as being rough to imitate the appearance of undressed stone. Each of the sections A has .an upper horizontally-extended tongue c',

which is vertically continued along one end of the section, as indicated by a2, Fig. 2. It Will be observed that the other end of the sec- 'y tion contains a vertical groove a, which-intersects at its lower end a horizontal groove ci in the lower edge of the section, as indicated In the operation of molding these in Eig. 4:. sections, each has coincidently embedded therein a piece B of wire fabric, care being taken `that the upper selvage I) of said fabric shall be permitted to" project beyond -its section A at the rear upper edge thereof.

In the act of producingcach section the same is so formed that it contains in its rear surface an extended horizontal depression C,

vwhich is of increasing depth from its ends in y the direction of its center, such arrangement Figure 1 1s a detail sectional view illustratresulting in a part of the wire fabric being eX- posed.

From the description thus far it will be readily coinprehended that a building-facing of highly-satisfactory and waterproof character can be provided b v fitting' arequisite number of 'the sections A together in vtongue-andgroove engagement, as generally indicated in Eig. 1, the vertical tongue extension c2 having' one section fitting within the vertical groove a3 -of a contiguous section, the horizontal tongue a', together with the under horizontal groove at of the section next above. Where the 'backing is of material so admitting, the sections. A can be positively fastened in position through the medium of nails (Z, driven through the projecting selvage of the fabric B. Should the backing be, however, of masonry, such fastening can be attained by angularly or horizontally bending the projecting selvage, so that the same will beV embedded between the courses of brick orstone.

The rear depression C has a tendency to contribute in holding its section in position by reason of the suction that is exerted by the partial vacuum created by such depression. A further function of this depression is that it admits of the introduction of mortar or cement for establishing a locking connection With the backing.

With a view of avoiding any possible passage of water or moisture between the tongueand-groove connection of the sections the upper forward edge t5 of each section is rounded, so as to present an efficient water-shed.

In situation where the sections A are to make joint with an adjutage of the buildingfrontfor instance, a window-sill, ledge, er copingsuch adjutage will be provided with a tongue or groove, according to requirement. In Fig. 1, D illustrates a window-sill in section, containing in its under side immediately contiguous to the backing a groove (Z, adapted for the reception of the upper horizontal tongue a of the section or sections A next immediately below.

In lieu of employing metal fabric B, as previously explained, the same effect can be attained by other means-as, for instance, by rods or bars appropriately molded in each section and having an upper projecting eye, loop, or tongue provision to permit the positive fastening of each section in position.

It will be appreciated that a facing of the novel character described is not only highly ornamental and durable, but is thoroughly waterproof and comparatively inexpensive. Moreover, the structural condition of the sections are such as to adapt them for convenient application in position.

In Fig. 5 is illustrated a section of a frame building, E being tbe foundation, e the studding, and e laths. The facing-sections E are nailed to the studding and backed up by concrete E2, interposed between said sections and the studding.

That part of the sill F in Fig. 6 which projects beyond the outer face of the jamb F has a vertical tongue f on its extremity, as well as a horizontal tongue f on its top, the jamb also having an outer tongue f2, these several tongues being designed for the engagement of the contiguous facing-sections Gr G', the section Gr being modate the end of the sill.

In Fig. 7 an arrangement is disclosed of a window or door frame in connection with the novel facing. H designates the window-frame, having the outer grooved jamb t, /1/ the studding, and I a facing-section having its end tongue engaged within the groove of the jamb, the facing-section being nailed to the studding and a backing J of concrete being employed.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A facingsection for the purpose described, comprising a body of plastic material having a rear depression and integrally provided with a tongue centrally located on its upper edge, and a correspomlingly-located vertical tongue at one end edge thereof, two surfaces of each tongue being parallel, the other end edge and bottom edge of said section containing grooves for receiving` the corresponding tongues of a distinct section; and metal provision anchored in the body of the section and having a portion projecting through the rear upper part of the body proper.

2. A facing-section for the purpose described, comprising a body of plastic material integrally provided with a tongue centrally located on its upper edge and a correspondingly-located vertical tongue at one edge thereof, two surfaces of each tongue being parallel, the other end edge and the bottom edge of said section containing grooves for receiving the corresponding tongues of a distinct section; and a woven-wire fabric embedded in the body of the section and having a selvage projecting through the body proper, the upper forward corner part of the said body proper being formed to presenta water-shed.

Signed at the city of Bayonne, in the county of Hudson and State New Jersey, this 13th notched to accomyday of May, A. I). 1904.

ADELBERT E. BUE'LL. Witnesses:

RICHARD Hnenims, JOHN J. MARTIN. 

